For Patrick Dorgu, as it is for so many players, getting a crack at the Premier League has long been the dream. Only in Dorgu’s case in that dream it was in blue, rather than red, that he’d turn out in England.
‘I’ve been a Chelsea fan for many years, so obviously it’s a dream,’ the 20-year-old said last year.
‘This doesn’t mean I can’t move to other teams in the Premier League!’
Dorgu, Manchester United’s marquee January recruit from Lecce, began life in England by signing his contract at United’s Carrington training ground before heading to The Ivy restaurant in the upmarket Spinningfields area with his entourage to toast the five-and-a-half-year contract he’s signed at Old Trafford.
The challenge starts now for Dorgu, who was in attendance at Old Trafford last Sunday to see his new team-mates do battle with Crystal Palace. It won’t have been lost on him already how much expectation is on his shoulders to hit the ground running at left wing-back.
NATHAN SALT takes a closer look at Manchester United’s newest recruit and and analyses how much of a coup this is for Ruben Amorim and his staff.
Patrick Dorgu arrived as Manchester United’s marquee signing during the January window
Technical director Jason Wilcox (left) hailed the 20-year-old’s (right) potential as a wing-back
WHO IS DORGU?
Ask anyone close to Dorgu and they talk of a quiet, somewhat introverted, character that has a fierce mentality and a work ethic unparalleled to many of his peers.
There were numerous occasions at Lecce where those close to the squad speak of Dorgu being ‘scalded’ by coaches. He never once complained.
‘His mentality is really good,’ Denmark U21 national coach Steffen Højer, who has worked with Dorgu closely, told Tipsbladet recently.
‘I’ve visited him in Lecce, and it’s not because it’s always been a bed of roses to come down there so young without being able to understand the language, and at the same time there can be a harsh tone.
‘I remember the coaches down there telling me that they scolded Patrick a few times, but then he just nodded and said “yes”, after which he kept working.
‘He has been tough and hard-working, which has given him the respect that has meant that he has gotten plenty of playing time and has performed excellently.’
Mentality, and compliments on it, is a trait that gets brought up frequently when it comes to the Dane, son of Nigerian parents Paul and Clara Dorgu.
Patrick Dorgu was one of four children – three boys and a girl – who grew up in the Danish town of Husum, a busy neighbourhood in Copenhagen.
His two brothers – younger brother Ifenna (plays football as a striker) and Gabriel (eldest, goalkeeper) – and sister (handball) have all had the sports gene.
The Dorgu boys began their footballing journeys at smalltown team Husum Boldklub and inspired by his beloved Chelsea, and specifically by his favourite player Eden Hazard, Patrick Dorgu always wanted to play out wide.
The Dorgu family is a religious one and one that has never shown an unwillingness to work hard and push through barriers.
Note that Patrick holds a Christian middle name – his full name is Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu – ‘Chinaza’ means ‘god has answered’ and ‘ekpere’ means ‘prayer’.
Dorgu rose through the ranks before getting his shot in the first team at Serie A side Lecce
Ruben Amorim has been crying out for a traditional left wing-back for his 3-4-2-1 system
The high level of respect, discipline and desire to continually get better has made Dorgu incredibly coachable, a trait that will immediately endear him to a tough taskmaster like Amorim.
‘Dorgu is a very coachable player,’ Alexander Riget, who worked with Dorgu as a youth player at FC Nordsjælland, told Sky Sports.
‘He is a good listener and takes instructions. He is quite quiet by nature, so as a coach you have to be patient with him. It is important to give him time to settle in.’
But – and Riget is among those close to Dorgu to stress this – his quietness is not to be confused for weakness.
‘He’s a quiet player, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have what it takes,’ he added.
‘He’s very attentive and ready to learn. But as a coach, you have to be patient and give him room to grow.’
WHAT TYPE OF PLAYER IS UNITED SIGNING?
One of the most glaring problems for Amorim since he took charge at Manchester United has been the lack of true wing-backs, harming him in his 3-4-2-1 system.
Amad Diallo has emerged as an option at right wing-back, where Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui have also featured, while Tyrell Malacia, who has since left on loan, disappointed on the left side. More often than not, Dalot has slotted in there.
So getting an orthodox left wing-back, particularly with Luke Shaw seen more as a left centre back option than a left wing-back due to his persistent injury problems, was of paramount importance and that is why a move for Dorgu accelerated last month.
Dorgu’s speed and physicality should see his game translate well to the Premier League
‘Patrick Dorgu has the hallmarks of a champion,’ Pantaleo Corvino, Lecce director of football, said of Dorgu recently. ‘He lacks nothing.’
Federico Coppitelli, an ex-Lecce youth coach, was also effusive in his praise when speaking about Dorgu.
‘One of his characteristics is that he always feels at ease every time he takes a next step in his career, so I would say [this move is] good,’ he told CalcioMercato.
‘As a boy, I am struck by his calmness and the naturalness with which he rises in level.’
United and Amorim now possess a true two-way player at wing-back who can seamlessly fit into this system without needing months of reprogramming.
Physically Dorgu can hold his own – something that is key in English football – but there are those querying whether the youngster’s overwhelming humility may mean the bright lights prove blinding at the very start.
Former Danish United player John Sivebæk has since offered Dorgu some advice.
‘Be yourself. You shouldn’t be too embarrassed that it’s a big club with such big players. He must be humble, but not too humble,’ says Sivebæk.
WHAT HAS HE SAID SO FAR?
Manchester United’s new No 13 has already sat down with club media to reflect on swapping Serie A for the Premier League and why he thinks he is the right fit for Amorim’s side.
‘It feels amazing to be part of the family. I’m very excited to get going,’ he said.
‘It’s a huge club. It’s the biggest club in England and I’m really looking forward to working with the new manager [Ruben Amorim] and I feel the system suits me really well. So I’m excited to be here.
‘I think I’m going to bring a lot of intensity and physique on the pitch. And a lot of energy and run[ning].’
